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Boundary Waters Quetico Forum Quetico Forum Portage Maintenance? |
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03/10/2020 08:33AM
In my travels that include partially Crown Land and partially unmaintained parks, I used to keep handy a Silky saw and loppers for on-the-go portage maintenance. Wonder if it would be helpful in Quetico?
"A man's got to know his limitations."
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03/10/2020 12:18PM
We always pack a saw for cutting firewood, so if we need to use it while on a portage trail, we use it. Bringing loppers adds weight that I wouldn’t want to carry, but your mileage may vary.
"Keep close to Nature's heart, yourself; and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean." ~ John Muir
03/10/2020 12:30PM
During paddling season, Quetico Park does produce a portage maintenance map that shows the staff’s progress on clearing portages. The first map typically comes out about June 1 and is updated over the course of the season. Of course, it only takes one good blow to change all of that.
I usually pack a Silky (only) for the occasional problem tree or branch on portage. I rarely use it for fire making purposes.
dd
I usually pack a Silky (only) for the occasional problem tree or branch on portage. I rarely use it for fire making purposes.
dd
"If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs" chances are you missed something. (Inspired by Rudyard Kipling.)
03/10/2020 01:01PM
We carry a 12" Corona folding saw on our Quetico trips because even though most portages are well-maintained, a snag or tree top can come down on any portage at any time. Last year's trip (late August & early September) only required a couple stops to clear portage blockages. We certainly can't get the big stuff with a 12" saw, but we do what we can...
TZ
TZ
If you want to go quickly, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. African Proverb
03/10/2020 05:29PM
Thanks, folks, for sharing your knowledge! I carry 12" silky that could remove trees up to 10"; also occasionally 18" loppers (yes, additional 20 oz.) that could be worth their weight in gold for removing branches from long-overgrown portages, but it looks like I won't need them in Q.
"A man's got to know his limitations."
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